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Grimm Studies/ Threats and Promises/Field Trip
So I'm on a roll and I just heard that Volume 3 is coming out soon.
Destiny= Bungie
RWBY=Rooster Teeth
Let's go.
/
A year ago, abandoned Schnee Dust Company Quarry, Forever Fall, Kingdom of Vale
Kevin blinked as he realized that he was hanging upside down from his pilot's seat.
"...Fuck."
He tried to undo his harness. "Sparky? Sparky?" He said as he blinked. Shit, he was bleeding. It would eventually solve itself, the Light within him would take care of it, but right now it was going to get really annoying.
He eventually managed to get his harness off...only to fall into a heap on the ground. Letting out a few more curses he said. "Sparky?"
"I'm here Kevin." The Ghost materialized behind his head. "And you really should watch the cursing you know."
"I'll take it under advisement." Kevin muttered. "Did you set up the emergency beacon?" He tried to keep breathing but his head felt like an overripe melon ready to burst.
"I did. But I've got some bad news." Sparky said softly.
Kevin clenched his fist. Great, fresh shit was incoming. He knew that because Sparky was not looking him directly, photoreceptor to eye.
"Well, what is it?" The Warlock asked.
"The planet we landed on is...not in any known database. I checked everything, even the stuff we got from the Archive in the Ishtar Academy." Sparky said. "Worse, I can't feel the Traveler."
That made Kevin's insides go cold. "Shit out of luck then." He muttered. "Alright, we can panic later. Let's get out of this ship first." Kevin clambered around his pilot's seat before finding the emergency hatch. Priming the explosive bolts Kevin hit the detonator on his right side.
With a loud bang a panel of armor blew out the starboard side of his ship. Kevin crawled out and found himself on a new planet...
/
Present Day, Beacon Academy Dorms, 0700 in the morning.
Kevin's eyes opened when he heard the Scroll's alarm sound in the dim light of his dorm room. The Warlock blinked as he saw Sparky floating over the stack of textbooks he had been given and the Beacon Academy uniform folded in a neat stack on his desk.
Most of his belongings were scattered all over the room. A few books were stacked haphazardly on the floor, his civilian clothing was in a closet on the right side of the room. An old box was struggling under the weight of even more books. Kevin had nearly forgotten that the damn thing liked to float outside if his window was open. It was a strange artifact, a ring of some sort, that he found on Oryx's Dreadnaught way back when John secured a beachhead for the Guardians to land on.
Yeah, he didn't have much back in the City of Vale and most of his crap was back in the Tower which pissed him off to no end. Still, he had some things and most of his music collection was with Sparky anyway alongside his stash of weaponry. The Ghost had been busy it seemed.
"Well, the area has been mapped, your inventory has been checked. The only thing we need is to check the status of your jumpship." Sparky told Kevin as he scratched his unruly hair. He was still in his pajamas.
"I can't exactly leave without clearance, Sparky." Kevin said as he looked at the time. "I'd better get dressed before the showers fill up."
"Okay...any preference for bonds?" Sparky asked. "I think you're able to customize your uniform a little bit."
"Seal of the Twin Eagle."
/
After a quick shower Kevin looked himself in the mirror. The Beacon uniform consisted of a black suit lined with gold over a white shirt and blue vest with a red necktie. He wore dark colored slacks and casual shoes. Since he was allowed to customize his uniform somewhat he wore his Warlock Bond, a circular band that went around his right upper arm that symbolized the wearer's achievements.
The Seal of the Twin Eagle was something he and John received from the Speaker when they had both just destroyed the Black Garden's Heart. It was a rare gift so Kevin knew he should wear it proudly at Beacon. He just wished his brother was here too.
Kevin fixed his necktie one more time before he stooped to pick up his backpack before slinging it over one shoulder. He then checked his Scroll for the time which was 0730 in the morning, realizing that class was beginning in two hours and thirty minutes. He had a lot of time. Kevin headed out to the gardens, just to clear his head for a bit before heading to class.
As he exited the Dorm buildings he observed his surroundings. A Hunter on patrol had once taught him that his sight wasn't the only sense he could use out in the wilderness. The ground beneath your boots, the smell of the breeze coming your way, heck even the wind picking up the tails of your coats gave you information. Rely on all of your senses equally and the world would reveal all of itself to you.
Kevin looked around at the splendor of Beacon Academy. Everything he had read during his stay on Remnant said that Beacon was one of the legendary Huntsman Academies on the Planet. Each and every Headmaster had made damn sure that that reputation was held up and from the looks of things Headmaster Ozpin was one of the greatest minds to walk the halls of Beacon.
"Ah, hello there Mister Holden."
Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. Kevin exhaled and turned to greet the Headmaster. "Hello Professor Ozpin." He said politely.
"I see that you are ready for your classes." Ozpin answered.
"Grimm Studies sir." Kevin nodded. "I was just...mentally preparing."
"Ah, nervous are we?" Ozpin asked with a wry smile. "Well, it is understandable. The first day of school is often very hard for some of the youth."
Nervous wasn't exactly the word Kevin would have used, irritated was the better term but one didn't say that to the Headmaster of an Academy did they? And if Kevin ever ended up being nervous about classes then he'd eat the entirety of the Wormspore stock he had in his inventory.
"A bit sir." Kevin said. He checked his Scroll again. 0745. He had loads of time.
A pinging noise alerted the both of them. Ozpin checked his Scroll. "Ah, it seems that Professor Goodwitch has something to report. Sorry, I must depart at once."
"No need to apologize sir." Kevin said. "I'm sure that the Headmaster has many duties."
Ozpin gave a smile again. "Have a good morning Mister Holden."
Kevin watched Ozpin depart. When he was a good distance away, Sparky materialized by his head. "I wonder what that was about." The Ghost wondered.
"I have no idea." Kevin said. "But when you get the chance, keep an eye on him."
"Sure thing, Kevin."
/
Grimm Studies.
Kevin arrived ten minutes before class and was waiting outside the door to Professor Peter Port's classroom. He checked his scroll again before hearing loud footsteps. He then took two steps to the side as Teams RWBY and JNPR turned the corner.
His green eyes scanned them as they all skidded to a halt in front of the door.
"How are you already here!?" Yang exclaimed, panting. "And no, if I hear 'Space Magic' again I swear I'm going to hit you."
Kevin opened his mouth slightly before giving a slight smile. "I woke up early." He said, relenting. "It's a very good habit to be punctual to class you know."
"Humph. Okay then." Yang rolled her eyes. She then noted her two other teammates staring at Kevin. "Oh right, we never really introduced you to the others." She presented the girl with the bow first, Kevin knew who she was but never did catch her name.
"This is Blake, Blake Belladonna. She likes to read books and er...well, yeah she likes to read."
Blake Belladonna stared Kevin in the eye. She was hiding a lot of things, the Warlock could sense it.
"I'm detecting some...oddities behind her bow. I could be mistaken, Kevin." Sparky said over the mental link.
"Keep it on the down low, Sparky. We'll talk about it later." Kevin replied silently.
"It's nice to meet you Kevin." Blake said distantly. "...I hear that you can fight pretty good."
"It's a required skill from home." Kevin answered serenely. He then noted Snow White scowling at him.
Ruby took over from there. "Um this is Weiss Schnee, she's...well kind of mean but she doesn't mean it." She said hesitantly as Weiss's icy glare settled on her before meeting Kevin's perpetual thousand yard stare.
"So, you're the one without a team." Weiss commented.
"It's hardly my fault if I didn't see anyone to team up with in Initiation isn't it?" Kevin's tone was curt and to the point. "I get it. You don't like me Miss Schnee because you think that I got here through special circumstances."
The atmosphere tensed up. Ruby looked at Yang whose friendly smile faded slightly. Weiss's eyes were wide but then the scowl on her face returned. The most disconcerting was Kevin's face, it was an emotionless mask. They knew he was getting irritated with Weiss's tone.
"Uh guys?" Jaune piped up before deciding to fade into the background as the Warlock stared Weiss down.
"I assume you know who I am." Weiss said after an awkward pause.
"I do. You're the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, the largest Dust exporter on Remnant and certainly the inheritor of a powerful dynasty." Kevin answered. "One with quite a few skeletons in its closet."
Weiss huffed before crossing her arms.
The door opened before anyone else could say anything.
"Oh! Well, this is a rather pleasant surprise!" The man who had opened the door was rather portly. He had grey hair and his eyes seemed perpetually shut. He had a spectacular moustache which went well with his attire, a double breasted burgundy suit with gold trimming. This must have been Professor Peter Port.
"Come in! Welcome to my class!" Professor Port opened the door. "Please, sit next to your teammates and we'll get started post haste!"
/
"Monsters. Demons. Prowlers of the night! These are some of the names the Grim have procured over the years." Port's bombastic voice echoed throughout the lecture hall. And Kevin could care less.
Already the Professor was rambling on and on so much so that even Sparky, Sparky, who absorbed knowledge like a fat kid absorbed an entire candy store was bored. The Ghost kept asking him if Port was done with his rambling. The Warlock said no. Grumbling to himself, Sparky floated over to the chalkboard to scan the posters of Grimm Port had pinned up.
Shit. At least they could learn something.
Kevin heard giggling and looked glumly at Ruby who had drawn a caricature of Port. Huh, at least she found something to do with her time. Yang was trying to hold her giggling in. The Warlock then looked at Jaune, who was nodding and ready to keel over. The red haired girl next to him nudged his shoulder. The boy blinked and looked at her before turning back to Port.
The Warlock turned back to Ruby then saw something a bit more interesting. Weiss Schnee looked ready to kill. He had to keep himself from smiling. So she thought she was better than this...He idly wondered if she knew that life wasn't fair. Miss Schnee looked like the type that got everything she wanted in life, but he could be wrong.
He'd give her the benefit of the doubt. Like Ruby, she too had an ample amount of potential. This Academy was very interesting.
/
"So!" Port clapped his hands, causing some to snap back to wakefulness. Kevin blinked before rubbing his eyes.
"Who would like to test their strength against the Grimm?"
The Warlock muttered under his breath. "Christ." He felt relieved, finally there was something to do. He raised his hand at the same time Weiss Schnee did.
"Oh ho!" Peter Port sounded amused. "Mister Holden and Miss Schnee eh? Very well, let's make it a contest! Go and change back into combat gear and come back."
/
Weiss looked at Kevin who shrugged and headed out the classroom to change. She smirked. All right, now was a good time to show what she could do. It was unfair that Ruby got the leadership role over her, how she did it when she was being so childish in the Initiation and the classroom she didn't know.
But she refused to be sidelined by some kid two years younger than her. Or some flunky in weird clothes.
/
Kevin entered the bathroom and closed the stall door. "Sparky, my armor."
"On its way."
In a flash of light Kevin was in full gear, he exchanged the Claws of Ahamkara-No, please don't leave me Oh Bearer Mine- for the Impossible Machines. These Gauntlets enhanced his Arc ability by allowing him to throw lightning down at his feet during the Trance.
Kevin flexed his fingers. "And I'm gonna need the Last Word and Conspiracy Theory."
He felt the familiar weight of the shotgun on his back while the Last Word appeared in his open left hand. The hand cannon was a powerful relic, once wielded by a legendary Guardian known as Jaren Ward.
It was a throwback to days long past, where one could rely on high caliber rounds and steady aim to bring justice to an uncertain frontier. Long before the City walls rose up Jaren Ward had brought justice to many a small settlement out in the wilderness, cementing himself into the lofty legends of the greatest Guardians to walk the Earth. For Kevin it was a reliable weight in his hand and a lifesaver back when he had just ranked up in the Vanguard. He hoped that he could one day wield it with the same surety as Jaren Ward did when his Legend began.
Kevin walked back to the classroom, drawing stares as he usually did. Weiss Schnee stood in the center of the room waiting. He took his position beside her without a word.
/
"Whoa..." Yang said. "Check out those gloves." She was staring at Kevin's Impossible Machines with a bit of envy as electricity arced over them.
"Forget that, look at his gun!" Ruby's eyes had stars in them. "That's the biggest revolver I have ever seen!"
Jaune Arc was gaping at the Warlock as he stood there confidently while Port had two animal cages brought in from...somewhere.
"Now, whoever kills their prey the fastest will earn a few bonus points in my class!" Port said boisterously. "I must warn you though, these two are rather fierce so use everything in your disposal to take them down! Are you ready?"
Weiss took a ready stance with her rapier, something Kevin had seen in a book somewhere. Ah, so she was skilled in fencing. Interesting, he'd have to ask about it when he had the time. The Warlock focused on the cage and raised his Hand Cannon.
"I hope you know how to use that." Weiss told him.
Kevin ignored the jab.
"Begin!" Professor Port cut the locks on the cages. One Boarbatusk and one Beowolf emerged, all howling and angry. Kevin opened up on the Beowolf with the Last Word, the Hand Cannon barked three times as the rounds smashed into the Beowolf almost knocking it backwards over the cage. Roaring in anger the Beowolf charged, its loping gait bringing it in close. In response the Warlock fired five rounds before slipping around its horizontal swing, the claws just barely missing his head.
Kevin sidestepped another attempt to behead him while reloading. The Beowolf reared back and snapped at his body with its jaws. The Warlock stepped out of range, firing his hand cannon fanning the hammer rapidly as he did so. Bullet after bullet punched into the Beowolf's body, the damn thing didn't seem to register pain but his rounds were stopping it that was for sure.
At the corner of his eye he saw something glint in the air. It was Weiss's sword. It clattered to the ground a few feet away. He heard Weiss scream in pain as the Boarbatusk knocked her to the side. Kevin turned his attention to the Beowolf as it loped to the side. The Warlock fired as he strafed in the opposite direction towards Schnee's sword. The Beowolf lunged just as Kevin fired a round into its head. The creature's skull mask burst apart in fragments and Kevin shouldered the crumbling corpse aside and picked up Schnee's sword.
He turned and quickly tossed the sword at Weiss who caught it in hand. She then summoned up a white glyph underneath the Boarbatusk. A spire of ice impaled it from underneath, and as it was dying the Boarbatusk slid down the spire of ice before smoldering.
"You did it Weiss!" Ruby yelled but the white haired girl just glowered at her before turning to Kevin who had loaded a fresh cylinder of ammo into his Hand Cannon.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Port clapped enthusiastically. "Well done! We have a pair of skilled warriors here and I have no doubt that these two will go very far! Now, unfortunately this is all the time we have left for class! Please remember to read your textbooks tonight and I want an essay on pages ten through fifteen for the next class! Have a good lunch everyone!"
/
"Hey Kev!" Kevin stopped for a moment before turning back to see Yang and Blake walking up to him. "Nice work with that Beowolf, you were awesome in there."
Kevin was a bit irked by the fact she was calling him 'Kev' but he hid it by smiling slightly. "Well, I am trained in Space Magic." He said much to Yang's chagrin.
"What are you talking about?" Blake asked as she tilted her head.
"Don't ask," Yang mumbled. "He's being a jerk."
"You did ask." Kevin spoke serenely.
Yang threw her hands up in the air as Blake hid a smile behind her hand.
"Anyway," Yang glowered at Kevin who shrugged his shoulders. "Are you headed to lunch?"
"After packing, yeah." Kevin nodded. "If you'd like to accompany me then let's go, unless you guys are waiting for someone."
Yang was about to answer when Weiss Schnee stomped in between them, her icy glare locking onto Kevin.
"You." She said curtly. "I didn't need your help back there."
"Didn't look that way," Kevin answered calmly. "That Boarbatusk would have crushed you if you didn't have your weapon."
"I could have handled it." Weiss seethed.
One of Kevin's brows raised. "That's not what the bruise on your left wrist says." He said.
Yang and Blake looked at Weiss's hand, which she hid with her sleeve."Th-That's nothing..."
Kevin shrugged. "Alright then." He said serenely. The Warlock turned back to Yang and Blake "Shall we go?"
"Uh...Weiss you wanna come with?" Yang asked the girl who was still looking at her wrist. "Weiss?"
"I'll..." Weiss said before looking at Kevin hesitantly. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria, I have a few things to check."
"And Kevin Holden," Weiss said. It looked like it hurt physically to say the next thing. "Thank you."
Kevin waved and watched her go.
"Uh...what was that about?" Yang wondered.
"No idea." Kevin said calmly.
/
Kevin set his lunch tray down, rather awkwardly as Ruby and Yang caught up. All he had on the tray was a bowl of salad, half of a chicken salad sandwich and a can of Ol' King Cold soda. He sat down and started eating his salad. He ignored Nora who just engulfed an entire sandwich in front of him.
"Um, excuse me."
Kevin looked into the green eyes of the red haired girl next to Jaune. He blinked. "Yes?"
"I never did get a chance to thank you for helping me in the Initiation." She smiled brightly. "I'm Pyrrha Nikos. You must be Kevin..."
The Warlock nodded. "Yes, I am." He gave her a polite nod. "You seemed to have been in a tight spot so I figured I could lend a hand."
Pyrrha Nikos smiled wider. "In any case, thank you Kevin. For saving my life."
Kevin nodded. "I do what I can." He turned back to his salad and tucked in.
"So!" Yang said loudly. "First day wasn't too bad right Ruby?"
Ruby, who looked a little glum, only nodded. Yang frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing...I talked to Ozpin after class today. It's not important." Ruby tried to smile.
"Did Schnee say something to you?" Kevin asked suddenly. Yang and Ruby turned to him curious.
"W-Well...Sort of." Ruby looked uncomfortable. "Um...Kevin?"
The Warlock looked to her. "Yes?"
"I...You were there when Ozpin assigned me as leader of Team RWBY right?"
Kevin nodded.
The girl in red pouted. "Was he right?"
The Warlock looked her in the eye. "Do you feel that he is wrong?" He asked.
Ruby shook her head.
Kevin wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Then he is not wrong." His answer was simple. "There will always be doubt. Even the best leaders have had doubts, take comfort in the fact that the famous and the bold leaders are afraid of failing even if they do not admit it. Instead you should just do your best. You're not the only one on a team, Ruby. You have the burden of three other lives including your own."
Ruby felt better hearing that and he could see it. Kevin just did what he could, newer Warlocks often sought his or John's advice when Ikora Rey was busy. Sometimes it was strange giving out advice to Guardians many years their senior but the two of them had been out in the field longer so he guessed it evened out.
Yang smiled at Kevin. "She can handle it." She said. "You're a pretty smart guy Kevin, like...a fortune cookie."
Blake rolled her eyes. "That's wise, Yang. Smart has a different meaning." She told the blonde.
Yang tilted her head. "It is?"
Kevin cleared his throat before finishing his lunch.
/
The Warlock finished his essay in record time and had Sparky edit the thing before he flexed his fingers and wrists before swinging his legs off of the bed and looking out the window.
"Right." He said. "I have to admit Sparky, it's nice to have a library that's actually quiet and not crowded with other Warlocks." He shuddered inwardly. Sticking over a hundred or so Warlocks in one area was usually a recipe for disaster. Grimoires were misplaced, experiments often failed explosively and generally the librarians in charge became the saltiest bunch of Warlocks on Earth.
Kevin had once seen a librarian reduce a female Titan to tears. And Titans were known for punching things they disagreed with.
"Well, you know how other Warlocks are." Sparky said as he looked up from Kevin's paper after rereading it the tenth time in the span of seconds. "You seem to be enjoying yourself, Kevin."
The Warlock clasped his hands behind his back. Dressed in his PJ's Kevin thought about his answer. "I still want to go home. John's out there fighting and I'm stuck here in school." He said.
"It won't matter if we can't get the material we need, Kevin." Sparky said floating up next to the Warlock's head. "And stop worrying about John, he has Hestia with him after all."
Kevin knew Sparky had a point. Hestia was the strangest Titan they knew but she was good at her job. She'd keep John intact. "John's still the crazy one." He shook his head. "But then again, he does everyone proud."
"That's true." Sparky said. "And he still reminds me from time to time to get you to smile more."
Kevin harrumphed. "I'm trying my best."
Sparky turned his photoreceptor on him. "Sure you are."
Kevin made the attempt to swat him out of the air.
/
A week later...
"Begin."
In the time it took Sky Lark to brag about his supposed prowess with the halberd, Kevin had already drawn his Hand Cannon and let loose.
Lark stumbled back as the first shot hit him in the shoulder, he stumbled back another step as one slug got him in the gut. The third and fourth slugs took his Aura down to the red. Kevin moved in kicking the halberd out of the confused, and scared, kid's grip and pointed his weapon at his head.
He could have ventilated the boy's head in one shot had Professor Goodwitch not stopped the match.
"Sky Lark, you should have monitored your Aura much more carefully." The Professor gestured to Kevin. "And had you decided to actually start fighting perhaps you may have had a chance to win against Mister Holden."
Kevin was a bit miffed at that observation as he looked up at the giant screen, seeing that he was still at full Aura...while Lark was in deep red. It wouldn't have mattered if Lark moved first, Kevin would have downed Mullet Boy if he took the fight seriously.
"He just got lucky." Sky Lark panted, still trembling from Aura exhaustion and fear that his head could have turned into a canoe a few moments before.
Kevin simply checked his weapon before mag locking it to his back. He then walked back to his seat as the Professor lectured the students on Aura management and starting combat properly. The Warlock exhaled before removing his helmet, yawning slightly.
"Wow. That was fast." Yang commented as she scooted over with Ruby.
"He just stood there." Kevin muttered as he wiped his eyes. "And talked about how he was going to destroy me. What did he expect me to do? Stand there and let him hit me?"
"It would have been generous." Blake said.
"Well, he did technically hit me first with his haircut." Kevin snarked so only Yang, Ruby and Blake could hear. "I mean, seriously have you seen his hair? That is the dumbest looking mullet I have ever seen." Yang snorted as she tried to hold her laughter in. Ruby had nearly fallen out of her seat, consumed by the giggles. Even Blake managed a smile.
"You're awful Kevin." Sparky told him over their mental link.
"I'm being serious. If I was Lark's father I would have beat his ass with a toaster before giving him a proper haircut." Kevin answered.
The Warlock yawned again, covering his mouth before it could escape.
"Had trouble sleeping last night?" Yang asked, grinning.
"Yeah." Kevin said. "I didn't keep track of time while I was in the library." He didn't need to mention the nightmares. They didn't need to know. Dealing with that stuff...Kevin just managed to suck it up and soldier on. At least Sparky had seen his fair share of horrors, he wasn't alone in that regard that was for sure.
"Your gun hits real hard, Kevin." Ruby told Kevin. "Usually, someone's Aura can shrug off bullets pretty well. But your revolver just takes it out in three to four shots." She frowned at him. "You could seriously injure someone by being careless."
"It's how we operate back home." Kevin said softly. Out in the wilds, firepower ruled the day. Victory was often decided on who shot first and the capability of taking out your opponent before he even had a chance to fight back. "There are monsters out there that need killing, and only the best get the best gear."
"Oh." Ruby clamped up. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"Nah," Kevin shook his head. "It's just different here."
"How so?" Blake asked.
"It's like what Professor Goodwitch said." Kevin shrugged. "Remnant is experiencing a time of peace. I'm not used to it."
He didn't say more.
Ruby and Yang looked at each other. Off to the side, Weiss Schnee narrowed her eyes before focusing on the next match that was starting.
"Well, this already looks like its lost." Weiss said. "Jaune Arc is going up against Cardin Winchester."
Kevin looked at her. "Huh." He huffed. "Well, this is going to be different." The Warlock adjusted slightly, apologizing to the student in front for hitting him.
/
He was right. Jaune got his ass kicked. And Cardin was giving him shit for it alongside Mullet Boy and the other two goons on CRDL. Cardin was the meathead and the toughest of the group, Mullet Boy was on that list alongside the loser with the Mohawk and the squinty eyed guy.
"Jaune?" He called, pretending to be looking for him.
Cardin either ignored the Warlock or had more balls than he had brains. The Warlock turned the corner to see Cardin beating Jaune up. Kid was already on the floor covering his head. He briefly looked back.
"You're clear Kevin." Sparky's voice was emotionless. The Ghost never got angry. But the spectacle in front of them was far too much for even the chipper Sparky.
"Well, look who we have here." Cardin said grinning as he gave Jaune one last kick. "What, come to save your buddy, Kevi-"
CRDL realized that Kevin had the Last Word in hand. The Warlock was all glacial calm except for his eyes. He was furious.
"Sorry." The Warlock said, his tone sounding friendly. "Did I interrupt something?" He raised his Hand Cannon and thumbed back the hammer. "Just kidding. Hands up."
Cardin growled but disobeyed. "You think your little pea shooter's gonna stop me Holden?"
"It stopped Mullet over there in four shots." Kevin answered blithely gesturing at Sky Lark who winced. "I have eight bullets, Winchester. And they all run faster and hit harder than you can."
"Are you threatening us?" Mohawk tried to sound brave. It instead came off as petulant. "There's four of us!"
"Are those gonna be your last words when I turn your head into a canoe Mohawk?" Kevin asked. Mohawk wisely shut his mouth and looked to Cardin.
Cardin gritted his teeth, "You're gonna regret this bad, Holden."
"I'd like to see you try something, Cardin. Please." Kevin's tone was cold. "Impress me."
Cardin and his goons decided to back off. Sky Lark made a threatening gesture at Kevin who idly raised the Last Word, making him walk faster.
Jaune shakily lifted his face off the ground. Kevin helped him up the rest of the way after holstering his weapon. "Come on Jaune, let's get you back to your dorm."
"My...My stuff."
Kevin saw Jaune's sword and shield on the floor and scooped those up, slinging them on his back before hauling Jaune to his feet. "I got it bud, don't worry." He threw Jaune's arm over his shoulders and helped him get back to the dorms.
/
"Jaune?" Pyrrha was all a flitter as she ran over to Jaune who had collapsed somewhat but Kevin steadied him before gently lowering him to the floor of JNPR's room. "Jaune!? Are you okay!?" Lie Ren and Nora had run over as well, some worry on their faces. Nora's smile was terrifying in particular.
"Took a couple of hits in the head but I checked him over." Kevin said, thanking Sparky idly for his medical scans.
Pyrrha's fists shook. "It was Cardin wasn't it?" Her voice was shaking with rage.
"It was," Kevin said as he looked over Jaune who kept looking down at the floor. The Warlock exhaled through his nose. "Keep an eye on him will you?"
Pyrrha and Lie Ren nodded.
"Are you gonna break something, Kevin?" Nora asked still smiling her terrible smile.
"It all depends on Winchester and friends." Kevin answered blithely.
/
RWBY had heard the entire thing from Lie Ren who had gone to fetch an ice pack. They were crowded by Kevin's door by the time the Warlock was headed there.
"Is Jaune okay!?" Ruby blurted out.
"He's going to be." Kevin answered. His voice calm. He gestured to the door of his room. "Would you like to come in?"
"Why are you being so calm about this?" Ruby demanded. "Jaune just got hurt!"
Kevin opened the door to let the girls in.
/
While she was honestly worried about Vomit Boy, Yang was also quite curious to see Kevin's dorm room. It was...strange to say the least. No posters were on his walls but there were a lot of books and things all over the place. Yang caught sight of a box of junk on the book shelf next to several other boxes of junk before she realized that they were weapon parts, judging from the trigger guard she saw on top of one pile.
There was a rattling noise and Yang was captivated by a small box being held down by a large encyclopedia. They all jumped as Kevin gave it a light, but firm, kick. "Sorry about that." He apologized as he pulled out the chair under his desk and offered it to Weiss who took the chair gratefully. Blake and Ruby sat on his bed while Yang wandered around. The box made rattling noises again. Kevin glared at it before turning his attention back to Ruby.
"We can't just let Cardin get away with beating Jaune up like that." Ruby told Kevin who was leafing through a large book before setting it back on the shelf. Weiss and Blake were looking around curiously, trying to find something amongst the scattered tomes that explained who Kevin was. Most of them were written in words that they did not understand.
The box rattled again. Kevin gave it another kick before answering Ruby.
"I know," Kevin said. "But getting angry isn't going to help Jaune. The reason is because he needs to learn how to stand up for himself. Cardin is determined to make his life hell."
"Not exactly the easiest thing to do, Kev." Yang commented as she picked up a book that had suddenly fallen off the shelf. She looked inside and saw too many words so she tossed the book back to Kevin who caught it and placed it on his desk. "Cardin's been bullying him for a while now."
"Yang is right." Weiss told Kevin. "Couldn't you intervene on his behalf?"
"I could." Kevin said as he leaned on his desk. "I can watch his back but I cannot be there every single day."
"We can try." Ruby spoke up.
"Yes, we can try. And sometimes that's all that matters." Kevin said.
/
When the girls left, Spark reappeared. "Sorry, I had to eavesdrop." The Ghost told Kevin who was looking out the window at the setting sun. "Jaune's fine by the way but he keeps brushing Pyrrha off."
"Well, shit." Kevin said turning to face his Ghost. "I was going to talk to her, ask her to watch his back."
"I know," Sparky answered. "Want me to keep an eye on Jaune?"
Kevin barked a laugh at the Ghost's little joke. "Do what you can, Sparky." He looked over his textbooks. "You know that Ring of Stone started acting up?"
"Ah, the one you tried to scan before?" Sparky bobbed in the air in the approximation of a human nod. "Have you locked it down?"
The rattling of a box alerted them both. "Kicking it seemed to make it stop for a few moments." Kevin quipped.
"Ah." Sparky said with a tone of understanding.
Kevin sighed as he began doing more of his homework for Professor Port. He and Weiss managed to score some extra points. Weiss was a bit miffed about him winning the contest but she grudgingly respected his skills. At least her attitude was a bit more tolerable.
He looked over his schedule on his Scroll next to him and saw that History of Remnant was the next class.
History...Now tomorrow was going to be interesting.
/
Breakfast was a tiresome affair. Kevin was already irritated due to lack of sleep but Cardin was already up to his usual shit again. This time he was picking on a Faunus girl, pulling on her rabbit ears.
"Look, Jaune. We know Cardin's been bullying you for a while now." Pyrrha said with concern. "And we'd like to help you."
"Me? Bullied?" Jaune laughed nervously. "Come on, Cardin's a jerk to everyone."
"Except Kevin." Lie Ren said. "Especially after that sparring match."
Kevin shrugged as he watched Cardin out the corner of his eyes. When the bully met his stare, he jumped up as if someone detonated a firecracker under his ass and he left the Faunus girl alone.
His goon squad followed him after realizing that the Warlock had his eye on them.
"He's got physical strength going for him." Kevin remarked. "But everyone goes down, it just depends on where you hit them."
Yang snorted. "Yeah," She said. "Winchester went down like a sack of bricks after you kicked him in the nards." She laughed. "I never heard a man scream in such a high pitch before."
"Yang!" Weiss looked scandalized. "Stop being so crude."
Blake rolled her eyes as she read her book.
"Guys, come on. I'm doing fine." Jaune said, grabbing his lunch tray. "Look, see? The bruises are already healing!" He laughed nervously.
Kevin shook his head as Jaune left. Pyrrha massaged her temples. "Let's just get to class." She told Lie Ren and Nora.
/
Professor Bartholomew Oobleck talked fast, moved fast and drank coffee fast. But he was passionate about history and it showed in his lectures. Sparky in particular was enjoying himself as he absorbed knowledge like a sponge, and remarked that Oobleck was a way better teacher than Port.
"Now, the Faunus Rights Revolution may feel like ancient history to you, it is extremely important to remember that these events are recent! The consequences of the uprising can still be seen today!" Oobleck spoke rapidly to the class. Kevin saw Jaune about to fall asleep in the corner of his eye before he turned his attention to Oobleck.
"Humanity was most adamant about pushing the Faunus into the area known as Menagerie. This schism between humanity and Faunus I believe has only worsened in recent years. Yes we may all have taken a step forward in Human-Faunus relations, but there have been many setbacks due to the past actions of our civilization."
Oobleck paused to take a draught of coffee out of his mug. Considering how fast he was downing each cup, Kevin was honestly surprised that the man hadn't exploded yet.
"Now, who amongst you young scholars can tell me the turning point of the Faunus War?"
Weiss raised her hand. "The Battle at Fort Castle!"
"Excellent, Miss Schnee! Excellent!" Oobleck raised his mug in praise to her.
"Fort Castle? Talk about the Department of Redundancy Department." Sparky snarked.
"Poor guy must have run out of names to call his Fort." Kevin remarked over the private link. "And technically, a fort is different from a castle."
"It doesn't matter Kevin, some people lack creativity." Sparky returned.
"Yes! As Miss Schnee has said, the Battle at Fort Castle is the turning point during the Third Year of the War." Oobleck looked around at the class. "General Lagune made one horrible mistake during the war and that was to try and take the Faunus forces by surprise during the night. What advantages did the Faunus forces have?"
Cardin threw something at Jaune causing him to say "Hey!"
Oobleck was on him in an instant. "Mister Arc!" He affected a surprised tone. "Finally contributing to the Class! Can you tell us all what the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune?"
Jaune looked nervously over his shoulders at Pyrrha who was trying to mime night vision. "Uh...binoculars?"
There was general laughter, as Cardin stared evilly at Jaune. Kevin rolled his shoulders with a tiny crack. There was silence in the room, the Warlock had that effect on everyone.
"Mr. Winchester? Do you have anything to contribute?" Oobleck asked Cardin.
"Well, it's easy to train an animal." Cardin drawled.
Blake and Pyrrha glared at him.
"I have the answer, Professor." Kevin spoke up. "I understand that Jaune has trouble with history and thus has asked me to tutor him." Jaune looked at him surprised. Pyrrha and Blake watched the Warlock curiously. Yang grinned. Kevin was one hell of a guy if he could bluff like this.
"And while I extended the same question to Cardin, he instead has preferred to stick to his ignorance of the subject of history." Kevin continued. Cardin growled and tried to stand up but the Warlock stared him down with his lifeless stare.
"Now, before he actually decides to interrupt me with another idiotic comment, the advantage the Faunus had against General Lagune was position and Night Vision." Kevin talked over Cardin's angry muttering. Oobleck nodded, with a genuine smile.
"Continue, Mister Holden."
Kevin cleared his throat. "Lagune, first of all, was an inexperienced general compared to the Faunus Commander. Military Tactics have always confirmed that sieges are time consuming and draining on resources, in addition to that Lagune also attacked at night. A more responsible commander would have realized that the Faunus had superior night vision."
"He's right, Professor." Pyrrha piped up. "It's easier for a Faunus to see at night. If Cardin had paid more attention in class he'd have known the answer."
"Excellent! Excellent! Thank you both Miss Nikos and Mister Holden. You are truly bright young minds that will go very far ahead!"
Oobleck checked the time. "Now, it seems that we have run out of time. Class, I want all of you to be reading through the chapter on the Faunus Rights Revolution closely, I will review this information at the beginning of class before the Quiz!"
Someone groaned. It was Yang, funnily enough.
"Mister Arc, Mister Winchester I wish to see you both after class." Oobleck said. Kevin stood up to go. "Mister Holden, you as well."
Kevin nodded.
/
"Now, the both of you have fought hard for your spots in this school." Oobleck sternly told the two in front of him while Kevin stood behind Jaune, watching his back. "This school only accepts the best and you need to act like it. Mister Arc, Mister Holden is trying to help you. You should strive to do your best as he does in class."
"Y-Yes sir." Jaune said. "I'm...well, not really good with dusty old books and ancient history like he is."
"You will do better Mister Arc." Oobleck said.
"Now, Mister Winchester, you have the same problem as Mister Arc. I advise you to reconsider and accept Mister Holden's help. History repeats you know." Oobleck warned Cardin.
"I...Yes sir." Cardin said and shot a glare at Kevin who blithely ignored his glare.
"Mister Holden, I appreciate what you are trying to do." Oobleck said. "But please, we are all colleagues here and there is no need for such disrespect."
Kevin nodded. "I understand sir, I will be more careful with my words." A partial lie. Cardin was a jackass in all but name.
"I expect all of you to act like the Huntsmen you are training to be." Oobleck nodded. "Go on you three."
They left the classroom.
"You think you're better than me do ya?" Cardin confronted Kevin once they were all out of ear shot. "And-"
Kevin calmly put his hand on Cardin's shoulder. Jaune gulped audibly. Kevin had a special talent with intimidation. "I will ask you one question, Winchester." He said blithely. The bully gulped in fear as he stared into Kevin's lifeless eyes. "Are you in control of the situation or not?"
Cardin winced as the Warlock's hand tightened on his shoulder. "Jaune is a good acquaintance of mine. Please stop picking on him, for your own sake of course." He smiled blithely. "But if you continue to act in a negative manner or seek to retaliate against me or anyone who is close to me, bad things will happen. Do you understand?"
Cardin left in a hurry.
Kevin watched him go before turning to Jaune who was looking at the floor.
"Why are you helping me?" He asked.
"Because I choose to." Kevin said. "Why wouldn't I?"
"You don't have to!" Jaune yelled suddenly. "Look, I'm tired of being the stupid, loveable idiot who's stuck in the tree! I'm tired of being dead last! I'm tired, sick and tired, of being treated like I'm not worth anything!"
"So show me. And Pyrrha, and all those who care about you that you are worth something." Kevin said calmly.
Jaune looked at Kevin. His gaze seemed to go right through Jaune and saw everything he tried to hide. "Every great warrior, every powerful hero started as a cold apple seed. They struggled, they lost. But they kept going, bettering themselves until they stood upon the fallen forms of their opponents." Kevin was reading Jaune like an open book and it scared the boy. "Some did it for their own sake, but the true warriors better themselves for those who follow them. I believe Jaune that you are capable of becoming far more powerful than I."
"Do you have the courage, the will to excel in all that you do?" The Warlock's voice was full of authority. But Jaune could see that Kevin wanted him to say yes to all of his questions.
"I..." Jaune looked down. "I can try."
Kevin searched his face for any duplicity. "Then try. And show me what you are capable of." The Warlock stalked away from Jaune without another word.
/
"I hope that stuck to him, Kevin." Sparky said.
"I hope so too." The Warlock answered. "But now it's up to Pyrrha and the rest to set him on his course."
"You sure they can handle it?" Sparky asked.
"I think they can." Kevin said. "Or, at least they will try their best." He heard a small beeping sound and pulled his Scroll out of his backpack. His eyes narrowed. Headmaster Ozpin wanted to speak to him.
Hmm. This was going to be an interesting conversation. "Sparky." The Warlock stated calmly.
"Yes?"
"Prep the JabberHakke and put my armor on standby."
"Kevin." Sparky sighed. "The man said 'discuss', he's not going to 'interrogate' you."
"Yeah, I know." Kevin nodded at his Ghost. "I'm just being careful."
"Careful," Sparky quipped. "He's asking you to talk to him. You don't need a gun."
Kevin made a disapproving sound. "Ugh, fine. Armor only then."
Sparky made the equivalent sound of a sigh.
/
"I apologize for calling you in at such a strange time but this meeting does have a purpose." Ozpin said to Kevin Holden, who stood in front of his desk. His hands were clasped behind his back.
The Headmaster's brow quirked slightly. Mister Holden did not present any openings to exploit. He was a bit too paranoid for his own good. "In any case, there were some discrepancies with your papers."
Kevin tilted his head downwards. "How so?"
Ozpin leaned forward to show him his Scroll. On screen was Kevin's personal documents, forged of course due to his Ghost's mastery of hacking, and a picture ID for Beacon which was next to his personal heraldry the Eye of the Storm which was given to him by his Vanguard Mentor Ikora Rey after his taking first steps as a Stormcaller.
"I don't see any problems." Kevin said. "Everything seems to be in tip top shape, except for that date there." He pointed at the date of birth. "It's three days off. The date is the fourth of June."
Ozpin checked the Scroll. "Hmm...Very well, I'll make sure to make that correction."
The way things were going was making Kevin extremely cautious. His eyes drifted slightly around the room, looking for any signs of bugs Ozpin might have placed. Sparky was invisible but he was up near the roof making sure to scan the room, and he was ready to give Kevin his armor if the meeting turned hostile.
"How have you been doing in class, Mister Holden?" Ozpin asked setting his coffee mug down.
Kevin shrugged. "Not too bad." He said quietly.
"I see that you have declined to participate in the Vale Festival tourney, I believe Professor Goodwitch spoke highly of your skills in combat."
"I was self taught." Kevin answered blithely. "I've done a lot of stuff I'm not proud of out in the wilderness."
A burst from his rifle toppled the Fallen Captain. He kept moving, kept killing and advancing towards the Ketch as more and more Dregs were pushed into the fight.
"But I did it in order to survive. You understand that don't you?"
Ozpin stayed silent but he nodded. "You fight only for survival. You have no intention of making a name for yourself."
"Victory means survival. Glory means I bring the people that matter back home." Kevin said. "The glory hounds can have their grandeur and praise, I want results."
"Your opinion on fighting tournaments seem to be quite negative." Ozpin observed.
"Pardon my language sir but the Vale Festival is just a bunch of warmongers having a pissing contest." Kevin answered bluntly. "I'd rather not join."
Had Glynda been here, she would have chastised the young man for his language but Ozpin was rather surprised to find someone who was ready to speak his mind. Kevin Holden was an enigma but he could stand on his own two feet without difficulty.
"Understandable." Ozpin smiled. "But Professor Goodwitch might need smoothing over with that, she seemed adamant to see your skills in battle."
Kevin grunted. "Of course sir, I'll take it under advisement."
Ozpin chuckled. "I'm sure you will." He looked at the time. "Thank you for coming up here, Mister Holden. Have a good day, and I assume you've heard the announcement about the field trip for tomorrow into the Forever Fall?"
Kevin nodded. "Yes sir." He took this as a sign of dismissal and left the office.
/
It was sunset by the time he got back to his dorm. He read the message on his Scroll, Professor Goodwitch was asking them to be out on the 3rd Landing Pad by 0930 hours tomorrow in full combat gear.
"I wonder what that's going to be about." Sparky wondered as he floated over Kevin's shoulder.
"Don't know. It's a field trip so I miss half my classes. Thank God." Kevin said as he tore his necktie off. "I understand that Peter Port tried his best but Jesus Christ, he rambles more than the Postmaster back at the Tower."
"Hey, don't make fun of Kadi like that." Sparky sounded offended. "Do you know how many Warlock packages float off in the middle of the night?"
The Warlock looked at the Ghost with a raised brow. "Oh." His tone said it all.
"I'm not flirting with the Frame Kevin. There is no 'Oh'." Sparky snapped at him, sounding flustered. "Get that thought out of your head."
Kevin raised his hands. "Okay." He said shaking his head in a disbelieving way. "I won't judge."
If his photoreceptor could generate heat, Sparky would have vaporized Kevin on impact.
/
The Forever Fall.
Kevin was nervous but Sparky reassured him that the wreckage of his ship was way too far to even be accidentally found. But sooner or later they were going to have to deal with that problem in the coming days. The emergency beacon had already been activated but the chance that someone was listening out there were...
Kevin stopped that train of thought, feeling the familiar weight of his Zhalo Supercell in his hands. Firing powerful Arc infused rounds that were capable of chaining to other victims, the weapon was a brutal close quarters implement of destruction. With all the trees in this place, it was a perfect environment for the Supercell to cause damage.
He heard someone gushing and turned to see Ruby gushing over the weapon. Yang had seen the spectacle and dragged Ruby away from the assault rifle that fired electric bullets. She flashed a smile at Kevin who simply nodded before slipping his Halliaetus II helmet on. He was wearing the Claws of Ahamkara and for once the gauntlets were-
So many trees Oh Bearer Mine, so much life to burn!
Never mind.
"Yes, students. The Forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. However it is inhabited by the Creatures of the Grimm." Professor Goodwitch's voice snapped Kevin out of his thoughts, banishing the Ahamkara's sinister voice to the back of his head. It really did not help that it liked to purr in a seductive voice. It was distracting as all hell because he could have sworn it sounded like Lakshmi-12 of the Future War Cult. The damn things even got her accent right.
"Now, Professor Peach has asked each of you to procure one jar full of tree sap from this area. I will be nearby so the Grimm will not be able to threaten any of us."
Kevin scoffed to himself. If the Cabal, the Hive, the Fallen and the Taken haven't killed him permanently yet then the animals on this planet were going to have a tough time trying to kill him.
He heard Cardin say something. The Warlock simply cocked his rifle, loudly enough for him to hear. Again there was silence.
"Mister Holden will also be on station if anyone encounters any trouble." Professor Goodwitch announced. "So do not hesitate to ask him for help."
Babysitting. Kevin could dig that. Although, as he watched Weiss fill up the jar of sap, he was also quite curious about what the tree sap could actually be used for.
"Ooh. Get a sample of that stuff Kevin." Sparky reminded him. "I'm gonna go make some preliminary scans."
Kevin grabbed one jar and picked at one tree's bark. Soon enough he had a pretty good flow of sap going. Looking around to make sure he wasn't watched, Kevin let his Ghost have at the jar of sap and pulled a small test tube from his sleeves. He let Sparky have that one too so he could make scans of the stuff.
Idly he wondered what he had found. The Cryptarchs under Master Rahool would appreciate the research, they always liked having new stuff to study even if it was a minor thing like tree sap from an unknown planet.
"What the- Nora!" He heard Lie Ren yell. Kevin turned, his Auto Rifle shouldered.
He saw Ren holding an empty jar as Nora whistled innocently, her face stained with a familiar red syrup.
Kevin sighed.
/
As the afternoon dragged on there was no sign of Jaune. Or Cardin and his goon squad. Yang and Ruby saw Kevin contacting Glynda Goodwitch about the problem on his scroll. They both met up while the rest of the students gathered.
"I will need JNPR and RWBY with me right now." Professor Goodwitch announced. As the teams assembled, the blonde professor turned to Pyrrha.
"Miss Nikos, has Jaune told you anything about why he is spending his time with CRDL during the field trip?" Goodwitch asked.
"No." Pyrrha shook her head. "No he hasn't." She said.
The Professor frowned. Kevin kept an eye out on their surroundings and on his motion tracker. Grimm had an annoying habit of complicating things.
Like right now.
The roar of a rather large Ursa alerted everyone. And coming in from the bushes were Russel Thrush, Sky Lark, and Dove Bronzewing.
"Ursa! Ursa!" Sky Lark was yelling.
Yang frowned and caught Russel by the collar. "Where!?" She snarled.
Thrush pointed back the way he and the others came from. "It's got Jaune and Cardin!"
Kevin rolled his eyes underneath his helmet as he advanced in the direction provided. "Cowards, the lot of you." He snarled at Russel. "Professor, your orders?"
"I will have to stay here to tend to their injuries, mister Holden." Professor Goodwitch said. "Take someone with you to assist Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester."
"I'll go!" Ruby volunteered.
"I will as well Professor!" Pyrrha spoke up next.
"Alright, go with Mister Holden." Professor Goodwitch nodded.
"Let's go." Kevin turned, leading Pyrrha and Ruby into the brush. "Sparky, you got the coordinates?"
"I have them. Judging from the sound...there!" Sparky put up a navigation marker on Kevin's HUD. "Go that way and do it quickly!"
Kevin smashed through the brush and found himself looking at a rather large Ursa. Jaune Arc faced it, his shield raised up. Cardin Winchester was on the ground, his mace a distance away. The Ursa grunted, snorting hot air at Jaune even as it made a lunge with its claws. Jaune blocked but he was thrown to the left, rolling onto his feet awkwardly.
But the Ursa was not the only problem. Kevin saw another Ursa, this one was another big, burly bastard. Pyrrha and Ruby arrived just behind Kevin. The Warlock gestured at the first Ursa Jaune was attacking.
"Help him." Kevin said calmly as he aimed his rifle at the second Ursa.
"You can take care of that one right?" Pyrrha asked readying her weapons.
"I'm gonna kill it." Kevin said, firing a burst of Arc infused bullets into his target, the Ursa roaring in defiance as it bore down on the Warlock with an Auto Rifle.
/
"Are they going to be alright?" Blake asked as she heard the steady crack-crack-crack of an assault rifle on full auto.
"They'll be fine." Yang drawled. "They've got Kevin with them."
"Is that guy even killable?" Weiss asked as she crossed her arms.
"Aww, you worried?" Yang grinned at the heiress who scoffed.
"Pah! Him?!" Weiss asked. "That boorish young man has awful language."
"He does cuss a lot." Blake said.
"But he's a good guy." Yang argued. "I mean sure, he's a bit rough around the edges but he did give me some notes before that stupid quiz in history."
"After you begged and pleaded for them for ten minutes before he relented." Blake pointed out.
"Hey, come on!" Yang complained. "I was trying to collaborate!"
Blake and Weiss looked at her with brows raised. Yang just sighed and scratched her nose. "Ugh, fine. Yes, I didn't take notes in Oobleck's class because I suck at history."
"There we go." Weiss said smugly. "It would help if you didn't fall asleep in class."
"Yeah but it just keeps going on and on..." Yang sighed. "How do you do it Princess? How do you stay awake in such a boring class?"
"Because the seeds of our future are sown in the past." Kevin's voice sounded behind them.
Yang jumped as Kevin emerged from the trees, rifle in one hand and the fragmented skull mask of an Ursa in the other. Beside him were a tired but much more confident Jaune Arc, Pyrrha and Ruby. Cardin took up the rear, holding his mace. He looked...contrite. Jaune just glared at him once before looking at Kevin.
"Thanks." He said.
Kevin handed him the Ursa skull mask. "That's yours by the way." The Warlock told him. "I'm sure you need to go tell your parents that you just decapitated an Ursa in one swing."
Pyrrha put a hand on Jaune's shoulder, nodding and smiling.
"While it is good to see that you are safe, Mister Arc." Professor Goodwitch spoke up sternly. "It would be quite prudent to explain just why you and Mister Winchester were late."
Jaune exhaled through his nose as he looked down. He then raised his head. "I'll...I'll tell you on the way back, Professor. It's a long story."
Kevin shrugged as he mag locked the Zhalo Supercell to his back. The Warlock had an interesting day. He helped out someone who needed confidence and wondered now what else Remnant had in store for him.
The Traveler truly did work in mysterious ways.
/
The Last City, Earth, Tower
He was not going to break his promise.
John Holden loaded the last shell into the Invective as he made damn sure that he had enough ammo and supplies for what he was about to do. Ikora Rey had already given her assent, Cayde-6 wished him good luck and Zavala just hoped that the Sunsinger knew what he was doing. While John could understand their concerns for him leaving, the Warlock had no intention of letting his brother go.
If Kevin was dead, he would make sure to confirm it with his own eyes. But if there was a chance, no matter how small or illogical, he was going out there to find him. Even if it cost him everything.
"Jingles." He said as he finished armoring up. The Heart of Praxic Fire once belonged to Erianna-3, one of the greatest Praxic Warlocks to be marked by the Comorant Seal. She was one of Eris Morn's friends who were lost to Crota.
John had personally seen to the God-Prince's demise himself. He hoped that made him worthy of the Heart.
The Ghost materialized behind John. "Yes, John?" Her voice was light and gentle but filled with worry. John had been very upset when he heard the news that Kevin had been lost to Fallen Pirates. He seemed to have taken a turn for the worst, especially now. Jingles knew that John loved his brother. He looked so small now, and very lonely.
"I'm heading out. If you want to stay and find another Guardian, I'm okay with that. I just don't want to drag you down to whatever end with me."
"John, remember what I told you?" Jingles asked. Had she the capability, she would have been smiling fondly at her Guardian. "Way back when you were first starting out?"
John looked at her. He was Kevin's twin, and technically the older one. The only difference was that his eyes were blue and that his hair was cut shorter than the mess that Kevin's was. He smiled.
"Yeah." He answered. "We'll always be together right?"
"You and Sparky are family to me." Jingles said. "I would follow you anywhere, even if it kills me."
John exhaled as he looked at the Samsara helmet in his hands. "To whatever end." He spoke to himself before pulling his helmet on. "Let's go find Kevin."
"John."
The Sunsinger winced as he realized who was right behind him. Hestia was in full armor, the Helm of Saint 14 in the crook of her arm. The female Titan watched the Warlock with dark hazel eyes. Her blonde hair was fashioned into a simple bob cut. The Fabian Strategy was mag locked on her back.
"You're not leaving without us are you?" Hestia's Ghost, Martellus, quipped in his posh accent.
"Nothing escapes you both does it?" John asked, his voice muffled by the helmet he wore. "Look, this is something that I have to do for myself."
"Kevin made us promise to look after you." Hestia said. "And that is what I will do."
John gave a chuckle. "All right then, Titan. Let's hit the road."
/
At 2300 hours, a pair of Jumpships flew out of the Tower Hangar and headed into Orbit.
The Speaker looked up to the Traveler as though hearing a voice on the wind. The old priest smiled underneath his mask.
The Traveler truly did work in wonderfully mysterious ways. He then mentally prepared himself for what he was going to tell the Consensus in tomorrow's meetings.
He certainly hoped they would understand.